This blog is about my life as a mom, raising a son with a mood disorder. This is a tough journey and I hope that my words may allow others living with this illness see that they’re not alone. I’m also using this blog as a tool to process my own feelings and let go of the pain that I carry inside. If you’re new to this blog, check out my list of “Important Posts” in the right column and feel free to share your story with me. This blog shouldn’t be used for medical advice.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Looking Back...

Tonight, I found myself looking through old photo albums of when my boys were just babies at ages 1, 3 and 5 years. I don’t know what it was, but I became overwhelmed with sadness and began crying, you know the kind of cry, when you don’t look so pretty and tissues aren’t enough.

I feel cheated tonight. Those photos brought back so many precious memories. Back then my son didn’t struggle with any mental disorders, he was a young kiddo exploring the world, maybe a little strong willed, but a sweet boy untouched by the pain he’s suffered today. There’s a look of hope and optimism in his eyes that every child should have. As I look at photos of his younger brothers, there’s so much innocence. I feel like we lost something that was suppose to be ours.

Looking at these images I can feel my old self again. I remember the feelings I had as a young mom, my hopes of where we were headed and the dreams I had anticpated. I had no idea that I was going to experience so much pain in motherhood. I never imagined that I would see my children suffer so much. I know life never turns out like you think it will and we’re never prepared for what lies ahead. I also realize that others have suffered so much more, but I wish I could whisper into the ears of my past and tell that young mom in those photos to suck up every moment of joy. To drink it all in and cherish every giggle, smile and sweet moment because my boys will grow up so fast and it will be much harder than I ever imagined. Today, I wish I can look at my boys without the painful memories of what we’ve experienced, I wish I can erase all the hurt my boys have felt and feel that sweet joy I once had as a young mother, just one more day, I want that feeling of hope back.

As painful as these photos are, they’re a good reminder of how time is passing by. I don’t have time to waste, I need to grab all the joy in each day I now have. In fact, I’m dying to wake my boys up and give them hugs and kisses (don’t worry, I’ll let them sleep), but I’m looking forward to tomorrow, because right now I’m screaming at myself to embrace a little of what my “old self” had, that sweet optimism that everything is going to be more than alright.

2 comments:

I feel like this fairly often. My son is almost 12 now, and I remember being told when he was younger that boys "get better" when they get older. That girls are the ones who get worse when they become preteens and teens, and boys just sort of even out. I have of course learned now that all the advice in the world, all the wisdom of parenting books, simply doesn't apply to him in the same way.

About Me

I’m a 45 year old Mama Bear married to my sweetheart for 25 years. We have 3 wonderful boys ages 16, 14 and 12. My oldest started showing signs of a mood disorder around 8 years ago. He is diagnosed with Bipolar NOS and recently Autism (Aspergers) and is taking Lithium, Wellbutrin and Melatonin and is in therapy with our HMO. Our youngest was diagnosed with Autism (Aspergers), ADHD and may also have a mood disorder. He is currently taking Prozac to help with anxiety and depression and has had great success with ABA therapy.